Written by Alexander O. Cuaycong and Anthony L. Cuaycong
Title: Langrisser I & II
Developer: Chara-ani Corporation
Publisher: NIS America
Genre: Strategy
Price: $49.99
Also Available On: PS4, Steam
There are undoubtedly those who will remember a promising tactics game by the name of Warsong. Released for the Sega Genesis, Warsong blended Japanese-role-playing-game mechanics with turn-based strategy gameplay, asking its players to not merely take control of several mighty heroes, but also direct whole armies into battle. At the time, the unique twist to the genre enabled it to stand out; it was able to use its much larger sense of scale to its advantage. Unlike other contemporary titles, it didn't just compel characters to fight; it likewise required players to manage troop composition, take care of commander levels, and watch their overall positioning on the battlefield to win the day.
Warsong was fun and innovative. Perhaps because it was also ahead of its time, it never really received a sequel — except in Japan, where it would continue to flourish well into the nineties, under the banner of Langrisser, its original name. Meanwhile, diehard supporters in the West tried to keep it alive via fan-made patches. It would take until 2018 for an official English release to appear, first in the form of the mobile game Langrisser by Zilong, and now, after nearly thirty years of silence, the release of Langrisser I & II for the Nintendo Switch, the Sony PlayStation 4, and the personal computer.
In Langrisser I & II, players are thrust into one of two stories available to play through: that of Ledin, prince of the kingdom of Baldea, and that of Elwin, his successor and Descendant of Light. In both stories, players must make good use of their wits to survive what trials await them. From roadside ambushes to desperate siege defenses, players must employ their commanders, the troops they have, and the terrain they fight on to outwit and outlast the forces of darkness.
As a remaster, Langrisser I & II features an updated story with modern English translations, updated art, new assets, and minor balance changes. That said, it promises to hew as close as possible to the original experience, and the effort to stay true to its roots shows. Plot points across both stories run as their predecessors did, and while they're undoubtedly uncomplicated, they don't take away from the gameplay. More than anything else, the capacity to finally play these classic games on a modern system more than outweighs any general clunkiness that show up on occasion.
From the very instant control is given, Langrisser I and II expect players to handle its simple but effective combat systems with surprising deftness. From defeating enemy bosses to facilitating daring escapes, missions are linear in their design, but never feel frustrating to go through, mostly because of the game's huge sense of scale; players don't just control named heroes, but also bring into battle hired mercenaries to serve as frontline soldiers in combat. As a result, players are free to choose from a multitude of strategies to achieve their objectives, with character experimentation feeling encouraged rather than stifled.
Backstopped by a robust progression system, where characters can level up, become stronger, and hire better, flashier mercenaries, Langrisser I and II's gameplay has the makings of a compelling, if forthright, strategy RPG — one that's able to provide players the right amount of challenge to keep their interest. And if that's not enough, the myriad branching paths more than give it a ton of replay value; the divergent routes add new commanders to play with, new scenes and dialogues to uncover, and new endings to unlock.
In fact, if there's any real negative to Langrisser I & II, it's the time it took for it to finally make its way to eighth-generation platforms. Other franchises in the genre, among them Fire Emblem and Valkyria Chronicles, have the remake option down pat, modernizing audio-visual presentations and adding new and interesting mechanics to the formula that initially helped them stand out in an already crowded space. Compared to these series, Langrisser I & II might be behind in the curve, but the mere fact that it's still able to give an immersive experience despite its somewhat dated game design attests to how fleshed out its original mechanics were, and how timeless its gameplay remains.
All in all, Langrisser I & II is a brilliant remaster of two decades-old games. And it's outstanding on either the Switch or the PS4. Beautifully remastered with little to no technical missteps, it boasts of excellent Japanese voiceovers and English translations, not to mention controls with nary a lag. And, for good measure, NIS America gives players the choice of retaining the original audio-visual presentation, or opting for the updated one, featuring new character designs and track arrangements. As with any remaster, it may be inherently unwieldy at times. Nonetheless, those steeped in RPG strategy will find it a can't-miss title that will have them staying around a while — a long, long while.
THE GOOD
- Solid SRPG gameplay with good balance between strong characters and capable soldiers
- Branching paths and multiple endings to unlock
- Two unique and interesting stories to play through
- High replay value
THE BAD
- Can feel a bit clunky and simple compared to more modern titles
- Lacks handholding
- Inadequate explanations on mechanics
RATING: 9/10
